English 201 Composition II Spring 2002 Professor David A

English 201
Composition II
Spring 2002
Professor David A. Salomon (davidsalomon@bhsu.edu)
Shorter Essay

Choose ONE and only one of the following questions. Answer it in a complete and thoughtful essay. Your essay should be a well-developed, clear, logical and complete idea developed from a definite thesis statement. Use the texts when necessary to support your answer, but do not merely summarize. Your paper should be 3-5 pages in length.

Essays must be either typed on a typewriter or printed from a computer–12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced. This paper is due on Wednesday, January 23. Papers handed in late will receive a one grade deduction for each day/class late. I will be happy to look at drafts. In fact, I encourage you to come in with a draft and/or send e-mail with questions.

Read the questions carefully. Use the texts when appropriate.

1) Many people have said that after September 11, "we will never be the same." David Gates calls "dubious" the notion that "Sept. 11 marked the end of the America we used to know" (33). Do you agree with the idea that America will never again be the same as it was before September 11? Why or why not? What changes have you seen already, and what changes do you think are yet to come?

2) Maureen Dowd focuses on American materialism as one of the "enemies" of Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network. Dowd expresses surprise that "the first war of the 21^st century is about stuff" (42). Do you think Americans are too materialistic? To what do you point as your evidence?

3) After the outbreak of World War II, Americans banded together. Norman Rockwell’s paintings of the "Four Freedoms" express well what Americans were fighting for. You can see these paintings at http://www.nara.gov/exhall/powers/freedoms.html. Are Americans fighting in the present war in Afghanistan for the same things? If so, in what ways? If not, for what are we fighting for now?